WhatsApp testing new feature to manage chat backups on Android

WhatsApp has been testing a first-party cloud backup provider as an alternative to Google Drive. With this feature, users will be able to choose between storing their backups on Google Drive or on WhatsApp's own cloud storage. WhatsApp's cloud may offer up to 2 GB of free storage, while also introducing a 50 GB paid plan. Backups stored on WhatsApp's servers will be end-to-end encrypted by default, so users do not need to configure anything to keep their chat history protected.

Users will be able to encrypt these backups with a passkey as well as traditional passwords and 64-digit encryption keys.

The feature will also let users choose WhatsApp as their primary backup provider is still under development. In the meantime, WhatsApp is also working on improving how users interact with their existing backups on Google Drive. Specifically, WhatsApp is working on a new backup management section that gives users more visibility and control over their backups.

WhatsApp saves chat history and media to Google Drive on Android, where it counts against the user's Google account storage. Users can choose to back up the chat history manually or set up automatic backups on a daily, weekly, or monthly schedule. The backup allows users to save their messages, photos, videos, voice notes, and documents shared in their conversations.

To restore a backup, users need to reinstall WhatsApp and log in with the same phone number and Google account used at the time of the backup. For users who want more security, WhatsApp also offers a feature to encrypt backups with a password or a 64-digit encryption key.

With the Google Play Services v26.23 update released on June 15, 2026, Google announced that Android users can now manage their WhatsApp backups directly from their device settings. This adds a new entry point to backup controls without requiring users to open WhatsApp. This change makes WhatsApp backups more accessible since it puts them alongside other system-level data management options on Android. 

Google has however, not shared further details about the news.